A heartbreaking incident has rocked Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, where a young police officer was tragically killed—allegedly by a newly recruited soldier. The deceased, identified as Constable Aaron John, was reportedly stabbed during a confrontation in the Mayo-Goyi area around 9:00 p.m. on Monday night.
What started as a routine response to a distress call turned into a fatal encounter. Constable John, who served under the Taraba State Police Command, was trying to mediate a local dispute involving residents and the suspect, now identified as Dauda Dedan, when things spiraled out of control.
According to the Taraba State Police spokesperson, James Lashen, the constable was merely performing his duty when he encountered the soldier. “He was called in by residents trying to resolve a misunderstanding. Sadly, he got caught in the middle and was stabbed,” Lashen told reporters.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene immediately after the attack, prompting a manhunt. The matter has since been escalated to the 6 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army. Authorities say the military has given its full commitment to tracking down the fugitive.
Both the Army and Police have launched a joint investigation and visited the soldier’s residence as part of efforts to bring him to justice. “We are working closely with the military on this. No one is above the law, and we will ensure justice is served,” Lashen said.
While the incident has naturally raised eyebrows, Lashen was quick to stress that the overall relationship between the police and army in the state remains cordial. Still, the killing adds to a growing list of tense and sometimes violent confrontations between Nigeria’s security agencies.
Just this July, a clash between soldiers and police officers in Lagos reportedly left several injured. In June, a police officer lost his life in Rivers State following a standoff at a checkpoint with military personnel.
Taraba State, unfortunately, has a painful history in this regard. In 2019, three policemen and a civilian were killed by soldiers while transporting a suspected kidnapper—a case that sparked national outrage and led to a major probe by the Defence Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Force.
Security experts continue to call for deeper collaboration, inter-agency training, and clear protocols during joint operations. It’s a call that now rings louder, as families, colleagues, and communities mourn yet another avoidable tragedy.
